Edward Turner Billingsley

Edward (Ed) Turner Billingsley of Melbourne, Arkansas Edward (Ed) Turner Billingsley, former Postmaster of Melbourne, passed away in Melbourne, April 5, 2011, at the age of 81. Mr. Billingsley was born in Franklin, Arkansas in 1929, lived most of his life in Izard County and graduated from Melbourne High School. Edward was a Navy veteran and served Melbourne as its Postmaster for 28 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and a past member of the Melbourne Lodge, Lion's Club, and a Shriner. The son of W.E. (Wid) and Hazel Billingsley, he is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 37 years Geraldine, and his sister Katharine Lawrence of Lewisville, Arkansas. He is survived by his sister Frances James of San Leandro, California, his daughter Leah Billingsley of Austin, Texas and six stepchildren: Christopher Difloe of Ash Flat, Judith James of Austin, Texas, John James of Flippin, Wendy Wheeler of Houston, Texas, Steve Wheeler of Melbourne, Nancy Valencia of Los Angeles, California. Edward is also survived by seven step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren. Arrangements for cremation were made by Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ICARE-Izard County Animal Rescue Effort. The family is planning a memorial service to be announced at a later date.